Yes. Health First Colorado is simply the official name of Colorado’s Medicaid program, same coverage, same card, same benefits. If you have Health First Colorado, you have Medicaid, and it covers therapy at $0 for covered sessions.
If you are holding a card that says “Health First Colorado,” or a provider told you “we take Medicaid,” it is easy to worry that you have the wrong plan. You don’t. They are two names for the same thing. Below we explain what that means for getting into therapy, and how to start.
Is Health First Colorado the same as Medicaid?
Yes, they are the same program. “Health First Colorado” is just the friendly, official name our state gives to Medicaid. The federal program is Medicaid; Colorado’s version of it is called Health First Colorado. Same enrollment, same card, same benefits. If you qualify for one, you have the other.
Colorado renamed its Medicaid program “Health First Colorado” back in 2017 so it would feel less clinical and easier to talk about. The change was in name only, nothing about your coverage got smaller. When a therapist’s website or front desk says they “accept Medicaid,” that includes Health First Colorado. When our team says we “accept Health First Colorado,” that is exactly the same as saying we accept Colorado Medicaid.
One quick note on a related name: CHP+ (Child Health Plan Plus) is a separate, low-cost plan for some children and pregnant people who earn a little too much for full Medicaid. CHP+ is not the same as Health First Colorado, and it can carry small copays. If your card says CHP+, tell us, we will check what your specific plan covers before you start.
Does Health First Colorado cover therapy and counseling?
Yes. Health First Colorado covers outpatient mental health therapy, individual, group, family, and telehealth counseling with a licensed Colorado therapist. For members, covered sessions cost $0: no copay for the visit. That includes support for anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and everyday life stress.
Coverage is for care that is medically necessary, and Whole Connection handles any plan requirements for you, you don’t have to sort out the paperwork. If you ever want the fine print on your own benefits, the Health First Colorado member line or your regional plan (your RAE, explained below) can confirm exactly what’s covered.
A few things worth knowing:
- Our therapists are licensed counselors and clinical social workers (LPC, LCSW, LPCC). This is talk therapy, not medical or psychiatric care, we don’t prescribe medication.
- You can be seen in person in Boulder or Denver, or by secure video anywhere in Colorado through telehealth.
- We have Spanish-speaking therapists, and you can call and speak in Spanish.
For the full picture of how Medicaid therapy works in Colorado, see our complete guide to Medicaid therapy in Colorado.
Is Health First Colorado the same as Medicare?
No, these are two different programs, and it’s a common mix-up. Health First Colorado is Colorado’s Medicaid (based on income, run by the state, usually $0 for covered therapy). Medicare is a federal program mainly for people 65+ or with certain disabilities. Some people qualify for both.
| Health First Colorado (Medicaid) | Medicare | |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | Colorado state (HCPF) | Federal government |
| Who it’s for | People and families who qualify by income | Mostly people 65+ or with qualifying disabilities |
| What you pay for covered therapy | Usually $0 | Often a copay or coinsurance after a deductible |
| Also called | Health First Colorado, Colorado Medicaid | Medicare Parts A/B/C/D |
If you have both (sometimes called “dual eligible”), that’s fine, we work with it and verify your coverage before your first session. Curious about Medicare specifically? See our page on therapy with Medicare in Colorado.
How do I check if I have Health First Colorado?
Two quick ways. First, look at your insurance card, if it says “Health First Colorado,” that is Medicaid. Second, check the PEAK website or the Health First Colorado app, where you can log in and see your active coverage. Not sure? Call us and we’ll help you find out.
Here’s what to look for:
- Your card: a Health First Colorado card shows your name and a member/State ID number. Keep this handy, we’ll ask for it when we verify your benefits.
- PEAK (coloradopeak.secure.force.com): Colorado’s official site to view and manage benefits, report changes, and confirm you’re active.
- The Health First Colorado mobile app: shows your coverage and a digital ID card on your phone.
- Member line: the number on the back of your card can confirm your status if you’re unsure.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. When you reach out, our admissions team will verify your coverage for you before your first appointment, so there are no surprises. And keeping your contact and income info up to date in PEAK is the best way to make sure your coverage doesn’t lapse.
What is the RAE name on my letters (Colorado Access, CCHA)?
Your RAE is your regional Medicaid plan, still Health First Colorado. Colorado is split into seven regions, and each has a Regional Accountable Entity (RAE) that helps coordinate your care. So a letter from Colorado Access or Colorado Community Health Alliance (CCHA) is not a different insurance, it’s the local face of your Medicaid.
In the Denver–Boulder metro, the two names people see most are:
- Colorado Access, serves much of the Denver metro and other regions.
- Colorado Community Health Alliance (CCHA), serves Boulder, Broomfield, and nearby counties.
Elsewhere in the state you might see Rocky Mountain Health Plans, Northeast Health Partners, Health Colorado, or others. Whichever name is on your letters, it’s still Health First Colorado, and we can work with it. Want the deeper explanation? Our guide breaks down what a RAE is and how it affects your therapy. If you’re not sure which region you’re in, just tell us your county and we’ll figure it out with you.
How do I find a therapist who takes Health First Colorado?
The simplest path: contact a practice that accepts it directly. You do not need a doctor’s referral to start outpatient therapy with Health First Colorado, you can reach out yourself. At Whole Connection, our entire team accepts Health First Colorado, and covered sessions cost $0.
To find a good fit, you can:
- Ask directly whether a practice accepts Health First Colorado / Colorado Medicaid (not every practice does, we do, across the whole team).
- Use the “Find a Provider” tool on the Health First Colorado website or your RAE’s directory.
- Call us at (720) 442-0946, admissions will verify your coverage and help match you to a therapist, so you don’t have to pick the right person on your own.
Meet some of the people you might work with on our team page, or learn how our Medicaid therapy services work. Whether you’d like to be seen in Boulder, in Denver, or by video from home, getting started is one phone call or a short online form.
Ready to use your Health First Colorado benefits?
We verify your coverage for you and match you with a therapist, in Boulder, Denver, or by video across Colorado. Covered sessions cost $0. Se habla español.
- Medicaid therapy at Whole Connection, how it works and what’s covered.
- The complete guide to Medicaid therapy in Colorado, RAEs, costs, and your rights.
- Prefer to talk it through? Call (720) 442-0946, a real person answers, and you can speak in Spanish.
Published July 21, 2026 · Reviewed by Phillip Horner, LCSW, CGP. This article is general information about coverage and getting started with therapy, not medical or legal advice. Whole Connection provides counseling with licensed therapists (LPC, LCSW, LPCC); we do not provide psychiatric or medication services. For questions about your specific benefits, contact Health First Colorado or your regional plan.
